However, in May 2025, Microsoft terminated what once was one of the primary platforms for telecommunications. The key factor behind the Windows empire’s choice to discontinue Skype? The emergence of Microsoft Teams.
Officially introduced in 2017, Teams entered the arena to compete with Slack, yet numerous core functionalities of Skype were integrated into the Teams framework. Video conferencing and instant messaging constituted Skype’s main strengths, but Teams incorporated file sharing and extensive Office 365 integrations that quickly rendered Skype antiquated. As COVID-19 emerged, there was a pressing demand for dependable video conferencing solutions worldwide.
This is where names like Zoom and other challengers stepped in to capitalize on the opportunity while Skype struggled to make an impact. The signs had been evident for some time. After Microsoft utilized Skype to substitute Windows Live Messenger in 2012, the company took minimal action to ensure Skype remained significant or user-friendly.
